Thanksgiving preparations are underway by headlamp and oil lamp. The crew is excited to strap on their bibs and celebrate our mountain family Thanksgiving. Today is a good day for the tryptophan comma that always comes after this meal. It is currently raining and windy. The high yesterday was 39 with a low of 35. The ice is melting and the reports we have received say that Rainbow, Bullhead, and Alum are all passable. Ice traction is not necessary on these trails.
Chris and I awoke at 4 this morning to make sure the turkey was in the oven. Chris brined it using kosher salt, thyme, and parsley. It always turns out magnificent. I am showing Nicolette the way as far as Mountain Thanksgiving is concerned. This year we have a south meets north theme. I was raised on cornbread dressing and Nicholette we raised on stuffing. We decided to prepare both so no one felt left out. We have prepared the cranberry sauce and squash casserole. There are a couple of pumpkin butterscotch cheesecakes to top it all off. I think this crew will take this memory with them for the rest of their lives. This meal is the one meal that old crew always refer to fondly. There will be a tear in my eye as we sit down and give our thanks. I am so thankful for the past twelve years and the amazing people I have been able to add to my list of family. Life is good.
20 Comments
Ken Taylor
11/23/2014 12:21:00 am
Thanksgiving is season,not just a a day, with that being said,I would like to thank all the crew for their hard work this year and wish all a blessed off season :) Especially Chris and Allison on your new chapter in your lives and Nathan a safe trip on his adventures...Thank You !!!
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Chuck
11/23/2014 12:22:07 am
Enjoy this meal....sounds very delicious....
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hipam
11/23/2014 12:22:26 am
You and Chris have been blessed to be on that mountain for so long. May your feast be extra special!! Will miss your posts and Nathans too but we will enjoy the new creator of this post too. Enjoy those last couple of days! Soak up the memories!! Happy Thanksgiving to you!!!
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gwen
11/23/2014 12:22:28 am
Parting is always bittersweet but the friends and wonderful memories will be with you always. Our thanks are to you all and the wonderful staff for making it possible to enjoy your wonderful mountain.
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Becky Moore
11/23/2014 12:31:41 am
Happy Thanksgiving to all who have a part in being able to enjoy our awesome mountain and lodge. Good luck and an extra thank you to Chris, Alison, and Nathan. Enjoy your meal today!
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Mary F
11/23/2014 12:32:35 am
Happy Thanksgiving to the entire crew. Wishing Chris, Allyson and Nathan success and happiness in their future endeavors! The mountain and all us regular visitors will miss you. Safe travels and enjoy!
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linda +rick
11/23/2014 12:37:12 am
Happy thanksgiving to each and everyone of you. Being together up there is one of your many blessings. You will always carry a piece of the mountain in your hearts. May the peace of the wilderness be with you !!
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Cp
11/23/2014 02:33:22 am
Have a wonderful feast! Best of luck to the wonderful Allyson and Chris for twelve years of delightful service maintaining and improving this very special spot. Thanks to Nathan for his four year contributions as well. And to Jeannie, Pat, Leslie, Rachel and Matt- I know you all did your parts and then some to accommodate all the lucky guests this year. I hope you all get to return at your leisure and have some pampering on your own time! And to Ruthie, Nicolette and Brad- we all have the utmost faith and great joy to see you take up the reigns and move forward!
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Pat N
11/23/2014 04:08:55 am
Wow...tears as I read this and picturing the wonderful Thanksgiving you are about to have and treasure forever. So much to be Thankful for on LeConte.
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Rebecca
11/23/2014 04:48:54 am
May you all enjoy this very special Thanksgiving Dinner. Your stewardship of the lodge over the last 12 yrs puts you in very special company. Your mark on the mountain will last forever. You have made the trips of many a hiker a great experience. You know you are leaving it good hands. Just like when it passed to you. When you look up at the mountain from home you will feel great pride and love for a job well done.
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Sandra
11/23/2014 05:48:13 am
Happy Thanksgiving, Allison, Chris & all the LeConte crew! Thank you for sharing the mountain with those of us who can't be there but hope to someday! :)
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JP
11/23/2014 05:50:49 am
Save me some pie :)
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Renee Ryan
11/23/2014 08:42:58 am
So excited to see that your coming back for another winter season! I love your posts and your outlook on life. Welcome back to the mountain.
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cgif
11/23/2014 06:09:01 am
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you all for everything you have done to make every visit up there a wonderful time, every time!
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phillip
11/23/2014 09:52:06 am
oil, black gold, Texas tea........................
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Kelly Walsh
11/23/2014 07:14:04 am
We look forward to our first visit to the top!
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mohona
11/23/2014 07:53:26 am
Chris an Allyson, each day when I read your post I catch myself smilingbut also there is a sadness yet excitement luming. That mountain has brought many days of happiness and thanksgiving to many. Its a even better place now after you guys hard work. I love the pics. Safe travels hope to see you in Jan.
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Ray M Patterson
11/23/2014 08:57:00 am
High to all on the mountain,I will miss you and chris report each day ,I tried to read it each day,didnt make it up there this year , maybe c you all around someday.
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Glenn OH
11/23/2014 10:42:31 am
Best wishes Chris,Allyson,Nathan and the rest of the crew. Hope you guys are having a great day. My wife and I first stayed at the lodge 95 and 96 then did the shelter several times. We started staying at the lodge again in 2012 and think it was the hospitality ( meals and those beds ) and friendly faces that has us going again. We've got our reservation Oct. 2015. I'm sure Ruthie will do a great job, that we'll want to keep coming back, it is The Great Smoky Mountains!!!
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Dan Goleach
11/25/2014 01:25:57 am
Wishing Chris and Alyson the very best, and I have enjoyed your posts and pictures. Also looking forward to JP's return. Happy Trails!
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